Feminism or Femininity?

Recently in my high school English class, our teacher was reading from a book to us, when she read a line that said,

"...and the women stayed in their kitchens."

All of a sudden, the whole class erupted into gasps of horror and outrage.

"You can't say that!"

"That is so sexist!" several girls exclaimed.

Now the book was a children's picture story (long story, we aren't normally read picture books at school!) and was very innocent. I'm sure the author had no intention of "degrading" women at all, but through this incident I became aware of how much feminism had permiated our culture and thinking.

Women and girls today are buying into the lie that they are "liberated" from the restrictive confines of the home, that they are "freed" to from the misery of being a wife, mother and homemaker, and that essentially, they are no different from men.

But what does the Bible say? 

"And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." - Genesis 2:18

"Whose adorning...let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." - 1 Peter 3:3-4

"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." - Titus 2:4-5

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body." - Ephesians 5:22-23

"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." - Proverbs 31:27-29

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."- John 8:32

God made us as women to be different from men, which is a wonderful thing! We are designed to be "help mates", to be nurturers of strength, and we are given a special role: to be keepers at home. We are to pour ourselves out in glad service to those most near and dear to us. This is the essence of femininity -- to submit to our (future) husbands even as the Church-Bride to Christ.

Now it is true that not all of us will be married. God may intend for us to remains single our entire lives, but this doesn't change our femininity. While the culture tells us that such a life is dreary, dull and utterly depressing, God tells us "truth will make you free" -- the truth as revealed in His Word. Yes, it is a politicially incorrect truth, but it is a truth that will bring us abundant, immeasurable joy, peace and blessings.

Does that mean we are forbidden from working outside the home? No. The Proverbs 31 woman "seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands", "bringeth her food from afar", "considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard" and does many other jobs. However, her main priorities are centred around her home.

May we dare to trust our God and become wise women who build their houses (Proverbs 14:1)!